Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel will suffer "severe punishment" for the assassination of the head of the Palestinian movement's Politburo, Ismail Haniya Tehran, reports TASS, quoted by Focus
"With this action, the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime (referring to Israel – note ed.) has created an occasion for severe punishment, and we consider it our duty to avenge the blood of one who suffered martyrdom on the territory of Islam Republic of Iran“, said a message issued by Khamenei's press office.
The Ayatollah added that the head of the Hamas Politburo "gave his precious life a long time ago on the battlefield and was ready for martyrdom, losing many of his relatives and friends along the way”. Khamenei expressed his "condolences to the Islamic community, the resistance front, the brave and proud people of Palestine, the family and surviving family members” of the Palestinian politician.
Since the beginning of the escalation in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, Israeli forces have repeatedly struck Gaza City, where the family of the leader of the Palestinian group was. As a result of the shelling, three sons and four grandsons were killed, as well as Hania's sister.